Electrical apparatus for the control of stage lighting equipment or the like



Get 2, W34. E, P. NEWTON 1,975,698

I ELECTRICAL APPARATUS FOR THE CONTROL OF STAGE LIGHTING EQUIPMENT OR THE LIKE Filed May 26, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet l B [M Flg. I.

W W2 R 2 B B2 WZTIW R R B3 B 1 T A W s 1 1W 1 2 1 2 W M 4 3 4 Inventor By ATP/VEWTO/V Attorney Get. 2, 1934. E, P. NEWTQ 1 975fi98 ELECTRICAL APPARATUS FOR THE CONTROL OF STAGE LIGHTING EQUIPMENT OR THE LIKE File-d May 25, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 B2 B7- B2 W3 2R 1B 15 5W f I 5W! 26 W1 1 nventor PNEWfG V Oct. 2, 1934-. E p NEWTQN 1,975,@98

ELECTRICAL APPARATUS FOR THE CONTROL OF STAGE LIGHTING EQUIPMENT OR THE LIKE Filed May 26, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 n u "1 @m, 2, N34. 5 p NEVVTQN Jl,975,69%

ELECTRICAL APPARATUS FOR THE CONTROL OF STAGE LIGHTING E UIPMENT OR THE LIKE Filed May 26, 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 M65 CS Patented Oct. 2, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFICE OR THE LIKE Edward Philip Newton, Whitton, Twickenhain, England Application May 26, 1932, Serial No. 613,782 In Great Britain May 30, 1931 7 Claims.

in providing each dimmer of an installation as above set forth with a pair or group of control coils associated with an electrically operated clutch and arranged to be selectively energized from a remote point for the purpose of introducing or cutting-out the resistance wire of the dimmer. A further object of the invention consists in an arrangement in which the said control coils of the different dimmers may be operated in any one of a number of preset combinations so that in one combination white float and batten lights may be increased in intensity, and blue and red lights may be decreased in intensity; in another combination blue float and batten lights and red float and batten lights may be increased in intensity and white float and batten lights decreased in intensity, etc.: any combina tion being preset and selected thereafter as desired.

A further object of the invention consists in the provision in conjunction with the lines supplying the control coils, of limit switches in the path of the wiper of each dimmer and multi-contact selector switches associated with the limit switches so that the said wiper can be stopped at any preselected position. In order to save unnecessary duplication of the limit switches a two-way and ofi bridging switch is associated with the switches and with the lines supplying the control coils of each dimmer so that each coil may be selectively included in the circuit of the limit switches.

A further object of the invention is the provision of limit switches arranged as above described in association with a plurality of selector switches, and two-way and oil bridging switches enabling a plurality of diiierent dimmer positions to be preset and selectively attained.

A further object of the invention consists in a-combination of the arrangements above described for the purpose of enabling different colour combinations and different intensity combinations of these colours to be preset and selectively utilized.

The control coils above referred to are associated with clutches in mechanical transmissions frome. constantly rotating member to the movable contact arm of the dimmer, the arrangement being such that one transmission, when its clutch is engaged owing to the energization of a control coil, moves the contact arm in one direction, and another transmission which includes a clutch controlled as to engagement by the energization of a second coil, moves the said contact arm in the reverse direction.

The above and other objects of the invention will be clear from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and claims.

Fig. 1 is an arrangement providing for the direct energization and de-energization of the said control coils by means of two-way and ofi switches located at any suitable remote position;

Fig. 2 shows an arrangement providing energization and de-energization of the control coils in several combinations by means of two-way and oil switches master controlled by single pole electrically closed multi-contact switches;

Fig. 3 shows an arrangement including limit switches for predetermining the limit of travel of the dimmers;

Fig. 4 shows an arrangement providing for the predetermination of several positions for the contact arm of the dimmer and means for selecting any one of these positions;

Fig. 5 shows an arrangement in which relays energized from a low voltage circuit control the coils supplied from a high voltage circuit;

Fig. 6 shows in diagrammatic manner, control coils and clutches in a mechanical transmission for oscillating the contact arm of the dimmer over its contacts, said dimmer controlling a set of lamps X; and

Fig. 7 shows a modified form of clutch which may be used in the mechanical transmissions of Fig. 6.

In Fig. 1 each set of float lights, not shown, a white set, a red set, and a blue set and each set of batten lights, not shown has allocated to it a dimmer of any suitable kind controlled as to operation by pairs of coils W -W R R B B W W R R and B -B in lines 1 2 3 4 terminating at groups 1, 2, 3 of two-way and off switches. Group 1 of the switches connects by way of line 5 with a master switch 5 to a connecting link M group 2 connects with a master switch 5 on the said switch by way of line 5 and group 3 with a master switch 51 by way of line 5 the link M being connected with main M through a grand master switch G. Switches 6 of the groups 1, 2, 3 may be selectively engaged with the lines 1 2 etc. to which they are allocated and the lines so connected and the coils in them are energized from a common bus bar B and main M and such master switches 5 5 5 as may be closed and the switch G. If .any or all of the coils W R B be energized the dimmers of these coils are operated progressively to increase the intensity of their respective lights until such time as the moving contactor of the dimmer open circuits limit switches 7 in lines 1 1 3 and if any or all of the remaining coils be energized the dimmers progressively decrease their respective lights until limit switches '7 are opened. It will be understood. that both coils only of each pair, W -W etc. cannot be energized simultaneously owing to one switch 6 being provided for two lines, such coils as are energized being preselected by switches 6 and S 5 5 7 An example of a suitable form of dimmer and the means for operating it are diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 6.

In this example the spindle 8 of the dimer rigidly carries a wiper 9, movable over contacts 10, and a worm wheel 11. The worm wheel meshes with a worm 12 on a shaft 13 terminating in bevel wheels 14, 15 arranged to be driven in opposite directions for the purpose of oscillatmg the wiper over the contacts 10.

One bevel wheel is, when desired, driven from a constantly rotating bevel wheel 16 and the other from a constantly rotating bevel wheel 1'7, the bevel wheels 16 and 1'? of each dimmer being upon a common shaft. The transmission between 16 and 14:, and 1'? and 15 comprises shafts 18 aligned in pairs and terminating at their remote ends in bevel wheels 19 and 20 in mesh with the wheels 14 and 16 respectively, and clutch elements 2121 at their adjacent ends. The elements of each clutch are controlled as to engagement and disengagement by the energization and de-energization of coils W and W as described with reference to Fig. 1, the contact arm 9 being moved to increase the intensity of lamps X when W is energized and oppositely moved to decrease the intensity of said lamps when W is energized. It will be understood that other sets of lamps are similar to that shown and are controlled in the same manner by their respective dimmers.

The clutches may be of any suitable form. In Fig. 6 each comprises two friction plates 21 that are urged into engagement when a soft iron part of the lower shaft 18 is drawn upwardly of and into the coil owing to the energization of the latter, and disengaging under gravity when the coil is de-energized. Pin and slot connections 22 permit of these movements but prevent relative rotation between each lower shaft 18 and its respective bevel wheel. In the modification of the clutch shown in Fig. 7 coils W rotate with a plate 21 and when energized attract and engage a gravity-restored plate 23 axially movable on guide pins 24 carried by a lower plate 21 The clutches described with reference .to Fig. 6 are the ones to be preferred because the coils used in conjunction therewith may be stationary.

A modification of the arrangement shown in Fig; 1 is illustrated in Fig. 2. This modification consists primarily in that two-way and. off switches 6 are provided in triplicate for each line 1W 2 1 -2 4 corresponding contactors of each triplicate set being connected by lines 25 25 25 25 25 25 26 26 27 to electrically closed multi-contact switches 25, 26 and 2'7. The switches 25, 26 and 2'7 may be closed selectively by the energization of their solenoids 28 following the appropriate manipulation of a selector switch S and dimmers controlled by coils W W? etc., will be operated in manners dependent upon the present positions of switches 6. Owing to this arrangement any one of three different prearranged colour schemes can be selected as desired it being necessary, after the switches 6 have been preset, only to manipulate the switch S so as to close one of the switches 25, 26, 27 whereupon the desired result is obtained.

In Fig. 3 is shown part of an installation enabling each set of lamps to attain a predetermined brightness following the closing of colour master switches, such as switch 4 at a remote point. The installation includes two-way multicontact selector switches M and banks of limit switches L L allocated one switch M and one bank of limit switches to each pair of coils W W etc. Each limit switch comprises one movable contact which normally bridges two fixed contacts and which is located in the track of the movable arm or wiper of the dimmer; and suc cessive limit switches of each bank are connected intermediately of each other with two contact points on a switch M one contact point being for co-operation with one pole P of the switch lvl and the other point being for co-operation with the other pole F The coil of each pair W W etc. that is to be energized is determined by the preset positions of two-way and off bridging switches W R etc., the switches in one on position connecting a coil W R etc. in series with a bank of limit switches and in the other position connecting a coil W R etc. in series with the said bank.

When a grand master switch G is closed one or the other of each pair of coils W W etc., provided the grand colour master switches of the pairs are closed, is energized and the arm or wiper of the dimmer is set in motion. The said arm successively and momentarily breaksthe bridges of the limit switches but current continues to flow to the coils during the momentary breaks by way of one or the other of the poles P, P and the line connecting the point with which the pole makes contact with the switches on the leading side of the moving arm, 1. e., if the arm is travelling from L to L the switches L L etc., would be on the leading side of the arm, and the switches L L etc. would'be on the leading side if the arm were travelling in the opposite sense. Finally, however, the arm breaks the bridge on the leading side of the line connecting the bank with a pole P or P ,-whereupon the current flow and consequently. the dimmer is stopped; and the dimmer cannot again be operated until its two-way and off bridging switch (such as W is reversed. Hence by presetting the poles 13 P each dimmer may be made to attain a certain predetermined position and stop there, the lamps controlled by the dimmer having a brightness consistent with this position of the dimmer.

In Fig. 4 is shown an installation which enables each dimmer arm to be brought into any one of three predetermined positions following the presetting of single pole selector switches S S and S single pole change-over switches W W2135 .and W andthe appropriate manipulation of a remote selector switch S The switches S etc. are connected by means of branch lines B B and B to bars 47", 4 and 4 and their contact points are shunt connected intermediate the limit switches in substantially the manner shown with reference to the contact points of the pole P in Fig. v3. Each switch S S and S may be set as desired independently of the others and selectively coupled to main M through the selector switch S and a grand master switch G whereupon the arm of the dimmer is set in motion and operates the limit switches. The coils W W are preselected for control by the dimmer and limit switches by means of the single pole change-over switches W W213s and W3138 which have the connecting bridges each constructed in two parts, one insulated from the other so as to make the switches, although preset, inoperative until the poles of one of them are bridged by the selective operation of an electrically closed multi-contact switch M The bridge of each switch W113s etc. when in one position would be connected one part between two extreme limit switches (such as L and L by line E whilst the other part of the same bridge would be connected with line 1 and in another position of the bridge the part connected with line E would be changed over to line E so as to be connected between the other extreme limit switches (such as L L whilst the other part would be changed over to line 2 The said parts of each bridge are connected with the multi-contact, switches lVl by lines E the switches M being closed selectively by a solenoid 29 according to whichever of the bars 4 4 or 4 is energized from selector switch S When the poles are so bridged they function in the manner described with reference to the poles of switch W1138 of Fig. 3. Current to the coils 29 is provided on the one hand by lines i3 connected with the bars 4 etc. and on the other hand from main M In Fig. 5 is illustrated how lines such as 1 2 etc. and the coils W W etc. in them may be energized from a high voltage circuit M M by means of relays R. This arrangement is applicable to any of the modifications in accordance with the present invention, the coils of the relays having the same relative positions with respect to the remote switches 1, 2, 3 etc. as the coils W W etc.

What I claim is:

1. In a stage lighting installation, a plurality of sets of electric lamps, a plurality of dimmers each with a movable contactor element, electrical lines connecting the dimmers to the sets of lamps, one dimmer being allocated to one set, one dimmer to another set, and so on, means for driving each contactor element in one direction for increasing the brightness of lamps controlled by its dimmer, means for driving each contactor element in the opposite direction for decreasing the brightness of the said lamps, clutches operated by electromagnetic devices and included in the said driving means, banks of limit switches associated with the said devices, multi-contact switches associated with the limit switches, and

' selector switches electrically connected with the ranged to determine the eiiectiveness of the circuit-opening actions of the said limit switches, said limit switches, multi-contact switches and selector switches providing means, which, when the selector switches are operated enable the movable contactor elements of the dimmers to be stopped at any preselected points of travel, whereby each set of lamps may be brought to a degree of brightness that is determined by the pre-arrangement of the said multi-contact switches.

2. In a stage lighting installation, a plurality of sets of electric lamps, a plurality of dimmers each with a movable contactor element, electrical lines connecting the dimmers t0 the sets of lamps, one dimmer being allocated to one set, one dimmer to another set, and so on, means for driving each contactor element in one direction for increasing the brightness of lamps controlled by its dimmer, means for driving each contactor element in the opposite direction for decreasing the brightness of the said lamps, clutches operated by electromagnetic devices and included in the said driving means, banks of limit switches associated with the said devices,

groups of parallel connected multi contact switches associated one group. with one bank of limit switches, another group with another bank, and so on, selector switches electrically connected with the multi-contact switches, the limit switches being arranged to be successively open circuited in the movements of the contactor elements of the dimmers and the multi-contact switches being arranged to determine the effectiveness of the circuit opening actions of the limit switches, said limit switches, selector switches and multi-contact switches providing means enabling the movable contactor of the dimmer to be stopped at any one of a number of preselected points of travel, whereby each set of lamps may be brought to any desired one of a number of degrees of brightness, each degree of brightness being determined by the pre-arrangement of the said multi-contact switches.

3. In a stage lighting installation, a plurality of sets of electric lamps, a plurality of dimmers, each with a movable contactor element, electrical lines connecting the dimmers to the sets of lamps, one dimmer being allocated to one set, one dimmer to another set, and so on, driving devices for the said contactor elements, banks of limit switches associated with the said devices, and multi-contact switches associated with the limit switches, said limit switches being arranged to be successively open-circuited in the movements of the contactor elements of the dimmers and the multi-contact switches being arranged to determine the effectiveness of the circuit opening actions of the said limit switches, said limit switches and said multi-contact switches providing means which enable the movable contactor elements of the dimmers to be stopped at any preselected points of travel.

4. In a stage lighting installation, a plurality of sets of electric lamps, a plurality of dimmers, each with a movable contactor element, electrical lines connecting the dimmers to the sets of lamps, one dimmer being allocated to one set, one dimmer to another set, and so on, driving devices for the said contactor elements, said devices being adapted to drive said elements in opposite directions, banks of limit switches associated with the said devices, and multi-contact switches associated with the limit switches, said limit switches being arranged to be successively open-circuited in the movements of the contactor elements of the dimmers and the multicontact switches being arranged to determine the eiiectiveness of the circuit opening actions of the said limit switches, said limit switches and said multi-contact switches providing means which enable the movable contactor elements of the dimmers to be stopped at any preselected points of travel.

5. In a stage lighting installation, a plurality of sets of electric lamps, a plurality of dimmers, each with a movable contactor element, electrical linesiconnecting thedimmers to the sets of lamps, one dimmer being allocated to one set, one dimmer to another set, and so on, driving devices for the said contactor elements, said devices being adapted to drive said elements in opposite directions, and bridging switches being associated with said devices adapted to enable the direction of rotation of each element to be preset, banks of limit switches associated with the said devices, and multi-contact switches associated with the limit switches, said limit switches being arranged tobe successively open-circuited in the movements of the contactcr elements of the dimmers'and the multi-contact switches being arranged to'determine the effectiveness of the circuit opening actions of the said limit switches, said 1 limit switches and said multi-contact switches providing means which enable the movable contactor elements of the dimmers to be stopped at any preselected points of travel.

6. In a stage lighting installatioma plurality of sets of electric lamps, a plurality of dimmers, each with a movable contactor element, electrical lines connecting the dimmers to the sets of lamps, one dimmer being allocated to one set, one dimmer to another set, and so on, driving devices for the said contactor elements, banks of limit switches associated with the said devices, groups of parallel-connected multi-contact switches as- 'sociated one group with one bank of limit switches, another groupwith another bank, and so on, selector switches electrically connected with the multi-contact switches, the limit switches being arranged to be successively open circuited in the movements of the contactor elements of the dimmers and the multi-contaot switches being arranged to determinethe effectiveness of the circuit opening actions of the limit switches,- said limit switches, selector switches and multi-contact switches providing means enabling the movable contactor of the dimmer to be stopped at any one of a number of preselected points of travel, whereby each set of lamps may be brought to any desired one of a number of degrees of brightness, each degree of V brightness being determined by the prearrangement of the said multi-contact switches.

'7. In a stage lighting installation, a plurality of sets of electric lamps, a plurality of dimmers, each with a movable contactor element, electrical lines connecting the dimmers to the sets of lamps, one dimmer being allocated to one set, one dimmer to another set, and so on, driving devices for the said contactor elements, said devices being adapted to drive said elements in opposite directions and bridging switches being associated with said devices adapted to enable the direction of rotation of each element to be preset, banks of limit switches associated with the said devices, groups of parallel-connected multi-contact switches associated one group with one bank of limit switches, another group with another bank, and'so on, selector switches electrically connected with the multi-contact switches, the limit switches being arranged to be successively open circuited in the movements of the contactor elements. of the dimmers and the muiti-ccntact switches being arranged to determine the effectiveness of the circuit opening actions or" the limit switches, said selector switches, limit switches and multi-contact switchesand the bridging switches, providing means enabling the movable contactor of the dimmer to be stopped at any one of a number of preselected points of travel, whereby each set of lamps may be brought to any desired one of a number of degrees of brightness, each degree of brightness being determined by the prearrangement of the said multi-contact switches, and the presetting of the bridging switches. EDWARD PHILIP NEWTON.

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